The results of a survey conducted by Eurobarometer on EU energy consumption published last week are no cause for surprise. They show that 47% of European citizens would prefer energy decisions to be taken autonomously by the European Union, against 37% who “believe” in greater competence at the national level and a minority (8%) who support greater responsibilities on the part of the regions and local authorities. The analysis of the data clearly shows a propensity for “the development of renewable energy sources and the promotion of research and development to reduce current levels of energy dependence”. One citizen out of two wants governments to increase investments in solar energy, one out of three is favourable to the development of wind energy, while only one in five declares that he consumes energy with any thought of how to save it. Rather surprising, even if positive, is the finding according to which 40% of those interviewed would be willing to pay higher energy bills on condition that the energy they use came from renewable sources. Despite the fact that the cost of petrol and fuels are continuously growing, the percentage of citizens willing to renounce their car or limit its use becomes significant only after the threshold of 2 euros per litre has been passed. http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/index_fr.htm
